About a year ago I wrote a post about what toys and props to bring to your newborn photo session and I featured images from a  shoot where the mom had brought some truly unique and beautiful things to be included in the photos.  (You can see that post as well as my list of suggestions by following this link)

Well, it has been a year since then, and the same family came back for their baby's first year photos with the same toys from their newborn session!

How fun is that?

So once again I'm featuring this adorable family along with some ideas for what to bring to your baby's first year photo session!

Party Hats

A party hat is always a fun prop to bring along to a one year photo shoot.  I can’t promise that your baby will wear it for long, but I can promise that the shots will do get will be adorable!

Letter Blocks

I'm obsessed with letter blocks.  I love the colors and fun patterns!  These gorgeous blocks by Uncle Goose come in a variety of colors, patters AND languages!!  I mean, how cool are these Japanese blocks that spell out this little guys name?!  LOVE!

Special Family Items and Calendars!

This guys mom has been documenting his first year using a Fujifilm Instax camera, so we thought it would be fun to get some photo of him holding the camera!  She also brought a calendar like the one we used in his newborn session to show off his Birth Day!

Favorite Toys

We also did a few shots with his favorite toys.  I did this with my own sons when they were this age, and it's so fun to look back at those photos and remember how important those toys were to them and to our family

Book you session!

Do you have a baby in your life who you need photos of!  Send me an email and I'll get you on the books!  After all, they're only little once! 

I'll never forget the day my children we born.  All I wanted to do was look at them. I couldn't get enough. 

Their little faces!

Their toes! 

Their tiny fingers. 

I would sit and just watch them sleep. 

I loved the way they stretched and squirmed. 

I loved their little yawns and baby sneezes.

They were so perfect!!  I couldn't get enough.

I think about that every time I work with a newborn.  I look at other people's babies just like I looked at my own; full of wonder and amazement. 

Why I Don't Use Props

That is why I choose not to use props or unnatural posing in my work.  I believe babies are perfect, just the way they are.  They don't need anything else.  Just a baby being a baby is enough for me.

I also know that newborns are precious and fragile little humans.  They are meant to be cared for and protected which is why I would never place them in any kind of an unnatural pose.

What You Can Expect From Me

If you are bringing your baby in for a newborn session with me, please know this.  I understand how precious this little person is to you.  Our babies are our world and I know that.  

I will keep your baby safe.

I will keep your baby warm and comfortable.

And I will create classic, timeless images that you can look back on years from now and see your child's personality shining through.

Remember, they're only little once.  Don't miss it.  Book your session today!

These two cuties came in for their photos just before Christmas and their session was a big wake up call for me as a parent! 

You see, I used to be really, really good at photographing my own children when they we babies and toddlers.  I didn't want to miss one thing!  They changed so quickly during those early years and I wanted to capture it all!

But as they got older, that changed.  For some reason, the older my kids get, the less I photograph them.

I know I'm not alone in this.  I think we all realize that babies grown up fast, and we make an effort to capture those early years.  But what about the middle years?

What about the teeth falling out stage?

What about when they start developing their own sense of style?

What about the elementary school?

Or middle school and high school?  That time when they are somewhere in between childhood and adulthood?

Don't those years matter too?

The answer is, of course they do! 

The older my own children get the more aware I am of how fast it all goes.  What is the old saying? The days are long but the years are short.... 

And that is why I love this photo session so much.  These sister reminded me to celebrate the middle years.  

Your kids, my kids; they are only young once.  This is it. 

As for me, I've committed to getting my own children in the studio at least three times this year.  I want to create some portraits of who they are now as middle school boys, turning into young men. 

It all matters.  All the years.  Don't miss.

Do you know what I love about six month old babies? 

Just about everything! 

For real, this is one of my favorite ages to work with.  They are so engaged, so curious about their surroundings, and almost always ready to great me with a big ol' baby smile!

So today, I want to take a minute to talk about the awesomeness of this age as well as answer some of the most common questions I get about how to prepare and when to book.

How to Dress The Baby

When it comes to dressing your baby for their session I believe less is more.  A diaper (so we can see all that glorious baby skin!) or plain white onsie are my favorites.  Hats are also really cute!  If you have a favorite outfit, bring that as well.  There are no rules!  What ever you love seeing your baby in is the perfect outfit!

When To Book

I call the mid-way through the first year the "Six Month Photo Session" but please know your baby doesn't have to be exactly six months old.  I tell my clients to book when your baby can sit on his/her own but is not yet crawling.  For most babies this is between 5 and 8 months.  

What To Expect

Out of all my photo sessions, the six month session tend to be the quickest.  Babies this age are so fun and engaged.  They come in all smiles!  They clap along when I sing.  They laugh and giggle.  We have a blast!  But they also get tired pretty fast!  I keep this in mind when working with them and do my best to be efficient with our time!  My goal is to keep your baby (and you) happy and engaged for the entire shoot!

I started my career 17 years ago with a maternity photo of my dear friend Ginger.  We shot three rolls of film and ended up with one perfect photo that we both loved.  I used that one photo to launch my business.  It was the face of Sandra Coan Photography for years.  

Back then, it was common for a person to go into a photo studio with the expectation of getting one great photo.  Over the years, that expectation has changed.  Now it's more common for people to come in for a session and expect 50 great photos.  And while I totally get it (I love all the photos too) I would argue that there is power in just one great image.  

The Problem With Many Photos

Here is how I see it.  When you have many photos, they are often times forgotten.  They sit in your cloud storage.  Maybe a few, if they are lucky, will end up on Facebook or on your Holiday card.  But most of the time, all those photos are never seen.  They get lost.  And I think that is a shame.

The Power Of One Photo

When you have one photo however, the dynamic shifts.  It becomes special and the way you look at it changes.  You hang it on your wall.  You share it with your family.  It becomes an heirloom for future generations. 

When you have just one photo, the photo becomes a story in and of itself.  It tells us something about the person and who they are in that moment.  It becomes a portrait in the truest sense of the word.

What You Can Expect From Me

When you come in for a photoshoot with me, I will take lots of photos and give you many to choose from.  But my goal is that you will find one GREAT one.  One that will become your story, your heirloom.  One that you will hang on your wall.

My goal is to create a portrait.  It's what I love to do.  And I can't wait to do it for you.

There is something so refreshing about updating the family portrait hanging in your house or the one folded up in your wallet. And fall seems to be the perfect time to do so. 

The kids are starting a new school year, the weather's changing, the holidays are approaching. Maybe you've been putting off those holiday cards the grandparents have been asking about... It's all happening!

Let me help.

In November, I'll be hosting three (yes, three!) mini session days! 

These mini sessions a perfect for families looking for photos for holiday cards, gifts, or just an updated family portrait.  Best of all they are fast and fun!  Just 15 minutes!  

The session fee is $150.00 and I will have lots of great add-ons, like digital files, albums and print package (perfect for holiday gifts!)

Here's a list of the mini session days, you can click on each date to take you to the corresponding sign-up page:

• November 12
• November 13
• November 19

We also have a Pinterest page you can check out for fall outfit ideas and holiday card inspiration!

See you in November!!!

Halloween is such a great holiday for kids and adults: they get to dress up while we get to see our little ones in some of the cutest outfits possible! I mean really, who doesn't love a baby in a Halloween costume? 

That is why I've decided to have a little Halloween party here at the studio on  October 29th!  All morning, from 9:00 to 12:00 I'll be having five-minute mini sessions designed to highlight your kids in their best and cutest costumes!  The 29th is also the date for the Greenwood neighborhood Trick or Treating event!  So why not make a day of it?!  Stop in for a photo, then hits the streets for some Trick or Treating fun!!

 Click here to reserve your five-minute slot*. 

You can also check out our Pinterest page for costume inspiration!

*The session fee is only $50 and includes digital files.

Every year this time, emails start to pour in from families ready to book their fall sessions.  And in every single email, I'm asked what my favorite spots to shoot in are.  So this year, I thought I'd help you all out, and put together a list! Here we go... my five favorite spots for Fall family photos!

1: The Ballard Locks!  Gorgeous trees and paved (non-muddy) paths make this my number one favorite spot for fall photos!

2: Golden Gardens.  I'm just a sucker for tall beach grass!  Love it!  

3: The Olympic Sculpture Park. This location has so much variety! A great indoor space if the weather turns bad, cool picturesque art everywhere, and plenty of pretty trees and waters views!

4: Gasworks Park: Want classic Seattle city views?  This is your spot!  And the old Gasworks make for a really cool backdrop as well.  But be warned... it can get super windy!!! 5: Last but not at all least, my studio.  Truth: Seattle weather is unpredictable. Sometimes its nice just to plan on an indoor space, especially when working with children under one!  And honestly... I LOVE a good classic studio portrait... melts my heart!

Okay friends... hope that helps!

What to do now?  Send me an email and get on the books!

And for you planners out there... here are some dates to keep in mind:

Mini Sessions will be held on November 8th and 9th this year.  And our by-appointment Santa photos will be on November 29th!  

Contax 645, Portra 800

Portra 400.  Contax 645